Chef Irvine's Photos Gone; Could Restaurants Be, Too?

[Food Network Fan]

Chef Irvine's Photos Gone; Could Restaurants Be, Too?

By Carlos Moncada of The Tampa Tribune
Published: March 7, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG - Are Ooze and Schmooze history?
There has been no announcement that the pair of restaurants that disgraced celebrity chef Robert Irvine planned for downtown St. Petersburg will not open.
But photos of Irvine that had been posted on the windows of the unfinished retail space at 400 Beach Drive N.E. have been removed.
"I have heard that. Actually, I drove by this morning,'' said John Hamilton of Beach Drive Retail, which is leasing space in the recently completed Opus South Corp. condominium tower that overlooks the Vinoy Basin.
Asked whether the removal of Irvine's photos meant the restaurants will not open, Hamilton said, "We don't really have any comment on that. I think you can read into that what you will.''
Hamilton did say that he has remained in contact with Irvine and his partner, Randall Williams, and that their lease is still in effect.
"The status is we have a lease, and that's what governs our relationship,'' Hamilton said. "Until that changes, we still have a contract with Robert Irvine."
Hamilton said he spoke to Williams as recently as this morning, but he declined to say whether Williams gave any indications the restaurants might not happen.
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[BerryBaby]

Hey, Robert, open a restaurant here in Portland. People will LOVE it! And, you can use all local produce and seafood. It doesn't get any better than this.

[Food Network Fan]

West Virginia doesn't have any places like that, he could come here and be the sole attraction.

[BerryBaby]

I bet a lot of places would welcome him.